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Hongqi (marque)

Topic: Company

 From HandWiki - Reading time: 9 min
Hongqi
Native name
红旗
TypeDivision
IndustryAutomotive
Founded1958; 66 years ago (1958)
Headquarters
Changchun, Jilin
,
China
Area served
  • Mainland China
  • UAE
  • Azerbaijan
  • Kuwait
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Cambodia
  • Norway
  • Japan
  • Taiwan
ProductsAutomobiles
ParentFAW Car Company
Websitehongqi.faw.cn//

Hongqi (Chinese: 红旗; pinyin: Hóngqí) is a Chinese luxury car marque owned by the automaker FAW Car Company, itself a subsidiary of FAW Group. Hongqi was launched in 1958, making it the oldest Chinese passenger car marque.[1] In Chinese, hongqi means "red flag", a Communist Chinese cultural symbol.[2]

Originally, Hongqi models were only for high-ranking government officials[2] and remained in production until 1981. The brand was revived in the mid-1990s.

History

While the name has endured, the vehicles that bear the brand have varied significantly. Originally a dignitary's car,[3] the brand's later vehicles have ranged from serving as taxis[4] to low-end business sedans;[5] during the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China parade, the brand returned to its roots by carrying party leaders.[6] Today, party officials commonly prefer Audis.[7]

First generation

Hongqi CA72

The original Hongqi cars were a luxury item used for the transport of foreign dignitaries[3] and the party elite.[2] Although Chairman Mao claimed not to have been driven in a Hongqi until Nixon's 1972 visit, he did take a personal interest in the cars from the beginning.[8]


First introduced in 1963, the CA770 model remained in production until 1980 albeit in limited numbers. Around 1,600 of these V8-engined Hongqis were built in total,[9] and over the years various versions were released including a 1965 long-wheelbase model with three rows of seats and a 1969 armored version (CA772).[10]

Second generation

Audi 100-based CA7200/CA7220

Between 1995 and 2006,[citation needed] foreign products were manufactured in China and sold as Hongqi models. These included the Audi 100[11] (CA7200/CA7220) and the Lincoln Town Car[12] (CA7460). There were two Audi 100-based versions—the more luxurious "Century Star"[13] and the smaller (1.8-litre) Hongqi Mingshi.[14]

Third generation

FAW began production of the third generation of Hongqi vehicles in 2006.[15] Named the HQ3 and based on the Toyota Crown Majesta, it saw little market success. First year sales totaled near 500, and while the target for the second year was 1,400 units, the HQ3 would not be profitable until annual sales of 5,000 were reached[16]—something that may never have happened. By October 2008, the price was reduced considerably and the name changed to Shengshi ("Days of Prosperity") in order to better appeal to private buyers.[5] Sales during the first half of 2008 were all from inventory and totaled 788.[5]

Fourth generation

Debuting by 2013, 30,000 units of the latest Hongqi model were initially expected to be produced[17] although a year after launch, less than 5,000 had been sold.[18] Sales are through government procurement; the car is billed as "the official car for minister-level officials".[17] In 2014, the People's Liberation Army purchased at least 1,000 H7 models.[19] A much more expensive model, the L5, was also on sale alongside the H7.[20]

Current products

Model Production Notes
L7[18] 2013–present[17]
L9[18] 2013–present[17]
H7[18] 2013–present[17] Based on Toyota Crown Majesta (S200)
L5 2014–present[21] Styling based on the Hongqi CA770
LS5 2015–present Based on Toyota Land Cruiser J200
H5 2018–present Based on Mazda 6 (GJ)
E-HS3 2018–present
HS7 2019–present
HS5 2019–present Designed by Italdesign
E-HS9 2020–present
H9 2020–present
E-QM5 2021–present

  • Hongqi E-QM5

  • Hongqi E-HS3

  • Hongqi HS5

  • Hongqi HS7

  • Hongqi HS9

  • Hongqi H5

  • Hongqi H7 (2016 facelift) - PHEV version

  • Hongqi H9

  • Hongqi L5

  • Hongqi LS5

Former products

Production dates Model designation Model name (Chinese) Model name (English) Platform
1958[3] Dongfeng CA71[3] 东风 East Wind[8] Simca Vedette body and chassis, Mercedes-Benz 190 engine[3]
1958–1965 CA72 红旗 Red Flag 1955 Imperial C-69 sedan[12]
1966–1981[9] CA770 series 红旗 Red Flag 1960s Imperial
1972–1979 CA774 红旗 Five prototypes were built but were not in production. Designed to replace the Hongqi CA770
1980–1987 CA630 红旗 A bus designed as VIP transport for the government, state-owned high-end hotels and travelling agencies. 19 seater load capacity, fitted with a 4.5 litre V8 engine producing 165 horsepower paired to a 4 speed manual gearbox.[22]
1982–1984 CA750/CA760 红旗 Red Flag A sedan made by Hongqi with Datsun 280C styling cues. Was produced to compete with the Shanghai SH760. A long wheelbase version was also available as the CA760 with only one made.[23]
1987 CA750F/CA760 红旗 Red Flag Dodge 600, did not enter production
1989 CA7225LH 红旗 Red Flag Audi 100
1992–1995 CA7560/CA7560LH 红旗 Red Flag
1993–1996 CA7221L 红旗 Red Flag Audi 100
1993–1998 CA1021U3 pickup 红旗 Red Flag Audi 100
1995–1997 CA7465C8 红旗 Red Flag Lincoln Town Car[24]
1996–2004[25][26] CA7200[27]/CA7220[25] 红旗 Red Flag Audi 100[27]
1996–2005[28] CA5020XJB/CA7228L/CA7226L[28] 红旗 Red Flag Audi 100[27]
1997 CA7220EL1 红旗 Red Flag Audi 100
1997 CA7220L1 红旗 Red Flag Audi 100
1998 CA7240L 红旗 Red Flag Audi 100
1998 CA7200E3L/CA7247L 红旗 Red Flag Audi 100
1998–2005[29] CA7460/CA7460L1/CA7460L2/CA7460L3[29] 红旗旗舰 Hongqi Flagship Lincoln Town Car[29]
1998 CA7220A9EL1/CA7220A9EL2/CA7220A9EL2A2 红旗 Red Flag Audi 100
1999 CA7220A9E 红旗 Red Flag Audi 100
2000–2006[3] CA7202E3/CA7242E6/CA7182E7[30] 红旗世纪星 Hongqi Century Star[13] Audi 100
2000–2005 CA7203E3L 红旗世纪星 Hongqi Century Star Audi 100
2001–2003[30] CA7180A2E/A3E 红旗明仕 Hongqi Mingshi Audi 100
2001–2003 CA7180A2EL1 红旗明仕 Hongqi Mingshi Audi 100
2001-2005 CA7202E3L1/CA7202E6L1 红旗世纪星 Hongqi Century Star Audi 100
2001–2005 CA7202A9EL3L2 红旗世纪星 Hongqi Century Star Audi 100
2002–2005 CA7202E6L 红旗世纪星 Hongqi Century Star Audi 100
2004 Hongqi CA7400 红旗 Red Flag Remake of the Hongqi CA770 with a lowered roofline based on the 1998–2011 Lincoln Town Car. Prototype only
2006–2010[31] Hongqi HQ3[32]/Shengshi[5]/HQ430[15] 红旗盛世 HQ3/Days of Prosperity/HQ430[15] Toyota Crown Majesta[8]
2009, 2015 CA7600L 红旗 Red Flag

  • Hongqi CA72 (1959)

  • Hongqi CA770 (1967)

  • Hongqi CA774 (1974)

  • Hongqi CA7180A2E (2003)

  • Hongqi CA7202E3

  • Hongqi CA7460 (1998)

  • Hongqi HQ3 (2006)

  • Hongqi H7 (2012)

Concept cars

A 2008 Hongqi SUV concept car
Hongqi S9 concept car (2019)

Hongqi will sometimes put in an appearance at autoshows held on Chinese soil showing off a concept car that attracts attention.

At the 2005 Shanghai International Auto Exhibition, a Hongqi HQD concept car was displayed.[33]

A Hongqi SUV concept was unveiled at the 2008 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.[34]

At the 2015 Shanghai International Auto Exhibition, Hongqi displayed a concept SUV radically different from its 2008 entry.[35]

At the 2018 Beijing International Auto Exhibition, Hongqi unveiled the electric sports car E-Jing GT Concept.[36]

At the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, Hongqi unveiled the sports car S9 and the SUV E115.[37]

At the 2021 Shanghai International Auto Exhibition, Hongqi unveiled the luxury limousine L-Concept.[38]

  • Hongqi E115

  • E115

  • Hongqi HQD concept car

HQE

Not strictly a concept car, the V12 powered Hongqi HQE was used by high-ranking Hu Jintao during parades celebrating the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.[6] It appeared on an official list of upcoming models in 2010 with a retail price of 1.2 million US dollars (which would have made it the most expensive Chinese-built car in history).[39] This model has since been shown at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show as the CA7600L.[40] It is equipped with a 300 kW (408 PS; 402 hp) 6.0 L V12 engine developed in-house.[40]

Relationship with Besturn

Hongqi and another FAW Group brand, Besturn, have exhibited some overlap. In 2008, due to flagging sales, Hongqi showrooms were merged with those of the then recently developed Besturn brand.[41] It was thought that giving the Hongqi brand more sales outlets would increase turnover.[42] At the 2010 Beijing Auto Show Besturn models were shown "under the Hongqi naming series",[43] and until 2011 the two brands both used the Hongqi "circled one" badging.[44]

Sales

A total of 2,534 Hongqi vehicles were sold in China in 2013, making it the 67th largest-selling car brand in the country in that year (and the 41st largest-selling Chinese brand).[45] Hongqi sold 2,774 cars in 2014 and became the 72nd largest-selling car brand of China.[46]

Exports

Hongqi has a presence in Dubai since December 2018 with the H5 and H7 being sold with 20 vehicles used in the NEXT summit in 2019.[47]

In Western culture

A 1978 Hongqi CA770 was featured in a 2017 episode of Jay Leno's Garage.[48]

The Hongqi L5 was reviewed by Jeremy Clarkson in a 2019 film for The Grand Tour taking place in China. Armed with western luxury cars, Clarkson and the other presenters sought to prove that western luxury cars are superior, with a series of performance challenges.[49]

References

  1. ↑ About FAW > Key Events First Automobile Works official site
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The home team economist.com, Nov 13th 2008
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Hongqi Luxury Car". faw.com.cn. FAW Group. http://www.rdc.faw.com.cn/Ecgzs/zhengche/index-zhengchecg-jc.htm. 
  4. ↑ Hongqi Mingshi Enters Daqing Taxi Market First Automobile Works official site, Oct 13, 2005
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Ally (2008-10-09). "FAW Car cuts price of luxury HQ3 sedans hugely". Gasgoo.com. http://autonews.gasgoo.com/china-news/faw-car-cuts-price-of-luxury-hq3-sedans-hugely-081009.shtml. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Unveiling the President's car at Chinese National Day military parade xinhuanet.com, 2009-10-01
  7. ↑ Chinese public revved up over BMW, Benz on gov't car list xinhuanet.com, 2009-06-13
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Family's driving ambition chinadaily.com.cn, 2007-04-04
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Piazzi, Giuseppe; Sidoli, Carlo (January 1985). "Sognando l'Auto" (in it). Quattroruote (Milan, Italy: Editoriale Domus) 30 (351): 51. 
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named profile
  11. ↑ "Homegrown auto industry has bit between teeth". http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-11/24/content_5369911.htm. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named revival
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Hongqi has been the Official Vehicle for the Congress Ten Years in Succession". FAW Group. 2 March 2005. http://www.faw.com/news/dzjy_jybj/jyzb/20050429135900027.htm. [|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
  14. ↑ Fuel Saving Match of New Hongqi Mingshi Ended[yes|permanent dead link|dead link}}] First Automobile Works official site, Aug 16, 2005 8:23 AM
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Special Supplement: Hongqi seeks to build global premium auto brand chinadaily.com.cn, 2007-11-26
  16. ↑ Gao, George (2008-05-12). "Hongqi to launch a new model each year, starting with HQE". Gasgoo.com. http://autonews.gasgoo.com/china-news/hongqi-to-launch-a-new-model-each-year-starting-w-080512.shtml. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 "Mao’s Red Flag Returning To Drive China Leaders From Audi: Cars". bloomberg.com. Bloomberg LP. Feb 27, 2012. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-26/mao-s-red-flag-limo-returns-for-chinese-officials-in-threat-to-audi-cars.html. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Lienert, Paul (Apr 25, 2012). "FAW's Hongqi Shows Two New Luxury Sedans: 2012 Beijing Auto Show". insideline.com. Edmunds.com. http://www.insideline.com/faw/hongqi/faw-hongqi-shows-two-new-luxury-sedans-2012-beijing-auto-show.html. 
  19. ↑ Huifeng, He (19 May 2014). "Domestic car brand Hongqi sells 1,000 cars to Chinese military". scmp.com. South China Morning Post. http://www.scmp.com/article/1515600/domestic-auto-brand-hongqi-sells-1000-cars-pla. 
  20. ↑ "$803,300 Chinese Car Goes on Sale". bloomberg.com. Bloomberg LP. Apr 19, 2014. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-20/-803-300-chinese-car-goes-on-sale.html?_ga=1.218531664.876678455.1370332489. 
  21. ↑ Rong, Blake Z (April 26, 2014). "$800,000 Hongqi L5 is the most expensive Chinese car you can buy". Autoweek. Yahoo! Autos. https://www.yahoo.com/autos/s/-800-000-hongqi-l5-is-the-most-expensive-chinese-car-you-can-buy-222443680.html. 
  22. ↑ "Visit To The Hongqi Factory Museum In Changchun, China. Part 2 by Tycho De Feijter". 17 October 2016. https://carnewschina.com/2016/10/17/visit-to-the-hongqi-factory-museum-in-changchun-china-part-2/. 
  23. ↑ "Japanese car styling at the end of the Cultural Revolution". 3 February 2018. http://chinacarhistory.com/2018/02/03/japanese-car-styling-at-the-end-of-the-cultural-revolution/. 
  24. ↑ "Hongqi of China: The Lincoln years". 5 January 2012. https://carnewschina.com/2012/01/05/hongqi-of-china-the-lincoln-years/. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Spotted in China: Hongqi CA7200". 17 June 2012. https://carnewschina.com/2012/06/17/spotted-in-china-the-hongqi-ca7200/. 
  26. ↑ "Spotted in China: Hongqi CA7220 V6". 28 September 2012. https://carnewschina.com/2012/09/28/spotted-in-china-hongqi-ca7220-v6/. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 "Autosoviet: CHINESE CARS". http://www.autosoviet.altervista.org/ENGLISH-automotorusse-chinesecars.htm#1. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "All The Hongqi Stretched Limousine Variants Based On The Audi 100/200". 11 October 2017. http://chinacarhistory.com/2017/10/11/all-the-hongqi-stretched-limousine-variants-based-on-the-audi-100200/. 
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 "Spotted in China: FAW-Hongqi CA7460". Car News China. 27 May 2010. https://www.carnewschina.com/2010/05/27/spotted-in-china-faw-hongqi-ca7460/. 
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 World of Cars 2006·2007. Warsaw, Poland: Media Connection Sp. z o.o.. 2006. p. 231. 
  31. ↑ For 2006 start date, see A Moving Launch for FAW's New Hongqi HQ3[yes|permanent dead link|dead link}}] First Automobile Works official site, Dec 20, 2006
  32. ↑ "A Moving Launch for FAW's New Hongqi HQ3". FAW Group. 20 December 2006. http://www.faw.com/news/dzjy_jybj/jyzb/20061220151600032.htm. [|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
  33. ↑ First Automobile Works official site, Jun 22, 2005[|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
  34. ↑ "FAW Hongqi SUV concept unveiled at Beijing show". Automotive World. 21 April 2008. https://www.automotiveworld.com/analysis/67645-china-faw-hongqi-suv-concept-unveiled-at-beijing-show/. 
  35. ↑ Halas, John (21 April 2015). "Hongqi LS5 Is Something Like China's Range Rover For The Rich". carscoops.com. Carscoop & Carscoops. http://www.carscoops.com/2015/04/hongqi-ls5-is-something-like-chinas.html. 
  36. ↑ Ning, W.E.. "Highlights Of The 2018 Beijing Auto Show Day 1 Part 3". https://carnewschina.com/2018/04/25/highlights-of-the-2018-beijing-auto-show-day-1-part-3/. 
  37. ↑ "Frankfurt Motor Show: Hongqi S9 supercar raises eyebrows". motoring.com.au. Motoring. 14 September 2019. https://www.motoring.com.au/frankfurt-motor-show-hongqi-s9-supercar-raises-eyebrows-120601/. 
  38. ↑ Karkafiris, Michael. "The Hongqi L-Concept Is A Chinese Limo With A Chandelier And No Steering Wheel". https://www.carscoops.com/2021/04/the-hongqi-l-concept-is-a-chinese-limo-with-a-chandelier-and-no-steering-wheel/. 
  39. ↑ "The Most Expensive Chinese Car, $1.2-Million Hongqi HQE, is Getting Ready for Volume Production". ChinaAutoWeb.com. http://chinaautoweb.com/2010/11/the-most-expensive-chinese-car-1-2-million-hongqi-hqe-is-getting-ready-for-volume-production/. 
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Jurnecka, Rory (2010-04-23). "2010 Beijing: FAW Red Flag Limo is Chinese for Old-School Luxury". Wide Open Throttle. Motor Trend. http://wot.motortrend.com/2010-beijing-faw-red-flag-limo-is-chinese-for-oldschool-luxury-7453.html. 
  41. ↑ "FAW Car to merge Hongqi, Besturn sales networks". 30 July 2008. http://autonews.gasgoo.com/china-news/faw-car-to-merge-hongqi-besturn-sales-networks-080730.shtml. 
  42. ↑ "FAW mulls merging Besturn, Xiali sales networks". 27 October 2008. http://autonews.gasgoo.com/china-news/faw-mulls-merging-besturn-xiali-sales-networks-081027.shtml. 
  43. ↑ "Besturn B90 Sedan spotted out testing". China Car Times. 2010-10-27. http://www.chinacartimes.com/2010/10/27/besturn-b90-sedan-spotted-out-testing/. 
  44. ↑ For shared badging, see FAW to give B50 a new grill and logo for 2011? chinacartimes.com, December 28, 2010
  45. ↑ "2013 Passenger Vehicle Sales by Brand". China Auto Web. 15 January 2014. http://chinaautoweb.com/2014/01/2013-passenger-vehicle-sales-by-brand/. 
  46. ↑ "【搜狐汽车产销库_汽车产销数据】_搜狐汽车网". http://db.auto.sohu.com/cxdata/index.html?page=/brand_144/salesbrand.shtml&mode=brand&id=144. 
  47. ↑ Service, Xinhua Silk Road Information. "Xinhua Silk Road: China's iconic sedan brand Hongqi sparkles at Third NEXT Summit (Dubai 2019)" (in en). https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xinhua-silk-road-chinas-iconic-sedan-brand-hongqi-sparkles-at-third-next-summit-dubai-2019-300965899.html. 
  48. ↑ Jay Leno's Garage (2016-04-03), 1978 Hongqi CA770 - Jay Leno's Garage, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf4cOFutuCI&t, retrieved 2019-05-07 
  49. ↑ "‘Chinese food for thought’ – The Grand Tour Series 3 Episode 6 Preview – MotoringBox" (in en-US). https://www.motoringbox.com/cars/entertainment/the-grand-tour/chinese-food-for-thought-the-grand-tour-series-3-episode-6-preview/. 

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